Transcript Migrant Worker Health

Migrant Worker Health
DG SANCO May 20th 2009
Project Development by Prolepsis
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The Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and
Occupational Health (PROLEPSIS) is a non-profit organization,
active in the field of medical research, health promotion,
environmental and occupational health since 1991.
Our human resources consist of a multi-disciplinary team of
physicians, public health specialists, statisticians, economists and
sociologists.
We have led and participated in numerable EU projects. We just
completed as coordinators the EU program GROW (Guidelines
for Prevention Obesity at the workplace) and we will be starting a
new EU program called FAQT (Family and Adolescents Quit
Tobacco campaign).
You can find more information on our activities at the website of
the organization : (www.prolepsis.gr).
Prolepsis experience in the area of migrant
worker health
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The MIGHEALTHNET project aims to stimulate the exchange of knowledge on
migrant and minority health through the development of interactive data bases in
each of the participating countries. These 'wikis' will contain the following sorts of
data:
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Background information concerning migrant and minority populations
The state of health of migrants and minorities
The health care system and the entitlement of migrants and minorities to health care
Accessibility of health care
Quality of care: ‘good practices’ developed to improve the matching of service provisions
to the needs of migrants and minorities
Achieving change: centers of expertise, general reports and policy documents, journals,
training programmes, E-mail groups etc.
By facilitating the transfer of knowledge and expertise and stimulating network
formation within and between European countries, the project hopes to further the
development of good practices concerned with the health of migrants and
minorities.
Immigrant Immunization Initiative
PromoVax
Prolepsis Institute
Immunization issues for
immigrants/refugees
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Language issues
Incomplete records
Incomplete immunization
Differing schedules in other countries
Vaccine quality control
Reliability of history/documentation
Immunization Challenges for Immigrants
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Prevention of infectious diseases in refugee and immigrant
children, adolescents and adults presents special
challenges
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Inequalities in access to healthcare
Data regarding immunization rates may be difficult to obtain
Vaccine practices and schedules differ by country
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Use of different immunization schedules
Use of unfamiliar vaccine products
Use of different calendars, transposition of month and day, MMR when
only MR given
Immunity often acquired through natural disease
Assessment of legitimacy and relationship of documentation of
vaccine and protection
DG Sanco 2009 call
Priority 3.2.1.1
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Exchange practices on promotion of vaccination in
member states, in particular regarding hard to reach
populations
Target Group
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Immigrant and refugees in the EU
Aim
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The purpose of this objective is to
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review existing immigrant immunization policies among
member states,
identify the immunization needs of adult and children migrants
and to
make migrant-specific resources available to clinicians
Objectives
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Record immigrant immunization practices in different
European Countries and identify gaps in immigrant health
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Review current policies and legislation
Assess access to immunization
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Collect reports from migrant health programs, NGOs
Analyze a convenience sample of adult migrants
Assist physicians in improving immunization rates, among
immigrants and refugees
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Provide tools to enhance health professional knowledge and
expertise in the area of immunizations such as
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Practical, scenario driven guidelines for HCP re: immigrant/refugee
immunization
Handbook Guide to Recommended Vaccines for Recent Immigrants (based on
their country of origin)
Immunization record form
Make migrant-specific resources available to clinicians, such as
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Develop popular-educational materials and resources which are culturally and
linguistically appropriate; and in an easy to understand format, to be used by
the clinicians in educating and encouraging migrants to get vaccinated and to
vaccinate their children
Start and duration
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DG Sanco proposal deadline May 20th 2009
Duration 36 months